The Mackay Conservation Group is represented by the lawyers at the Environment Defenders’ Office Queensland and supported by thousands of Australians who have donated to fund the action to protect the Reef from the impact of dredging and dumping.

The case will centre on the Federal Government’s decision to approve dredging and dumping for the proposed export coal terminal at Abbot Point, less than 50kms from the Whitsunday Islands. In a novel test for Australia’s environment laws, Mackay Conservation Group will argue that the Minister has failed in his obligation to protect the World Heritage Area.

Ellen Roberts, Co-ordinator of the Mackay Conservation Group said the dredging and dumping is a damaging practice that could ruin the Reef, and the Minister’s decision has to be challenged.

‘The world will be watching this case. The World Heritage Committee has expressed concern over the Australian and Queensland governments’ efforts to protect the Reef, particularly from mega-port development and the associated dredging and dumping.

‘Mackay Conservation Group has a proud thirty year history of protecting the Reef and the local environment in our region. We believe that this case has implications for all of the development of state-owned ports and trans-shipping proposals along the Great Barrier Reef and the World Heritage Committee’s looming decision over whether to list the Reef as ‘in danger’.

‘The issues in this case have not been tested before in Federal Court. Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) states that the Australian government must protect World Heritage properties. A successful case could have implications for the protection of other Australian World Heritage sites.

Donations from thousands of GetUp! members and other conservation groups right across the country allowed the case to go ahead.

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That’s right Roger – that’s our argument. Australia’s environment laws enshrine the importance of protecting World Heritage Areas and we say that hasn’t happened in the case of the Abbot Point decision.